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When we are introduced to Noach at the beginning of the parsha, Rashi notes that his being called a tzaddik (righteous man) “in his generation” could be interpreted either positively or negatively. Positively, had Noach lived in another generation, he’d have been even greater. Negatively, only because he was compared to such terrible people was Noach considered great in his day. |
But honestly, I don’t understand the question. The Torah does say in the first verse of Chapter 7, “And G-d said to Noach, ‘Come with your family to the Ark, because I see you to be a tzaddik before Me in this generation’.”
Perhaps this verse can be read both ways, but I think the more correct reading is “You are unique in your time.” But not in a different generation. Why is this language used?
The Or HaChaim explains that Noach needed to be reminded that he was the tzaddik in comparison to the people of his generation, because maybe Noach would think to bring a whole bunch of people on board, people he felt were not deserving of punishment when indeed they were not innocent.
Don’t we all have friends we’d want to save if we were making a boat big enough to hold dozens of people, if not more?
This is why, Or HaChaim suggests, Noach needed to be told to bring his family. Even they were unworthy of being saved. They were only brought on board because they were his family. “Because you are the [only] tzaddik I see in this generation.”
The midrash (which Rashi also quotes) goes in a different direction when it claims this is a demonstration of G-d not saying Noach’s complete praise in front of him (earlier he was called a “tzaddik tamim” [a perfect righteous man] when the Torah introduced him, but he was not being personally addressed).
